Attachment for flush tanks



i March 1959 J. H. BRASHER 2,879,521

I ATTACHMENT FOR FLUSH TANKS Filed Dec. 23, 1957' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIELE. E 11 FIEI. 0 o 20 FIELZ.

INVENTORI JAMES H, BRASHER ATTYS.

y March 31, 1959 J. H. BRASHER 79,521

ATTACI-{MENT FOR FLUSH TANKS Filed Dec. 23, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mum non: JAMES H. BRASHER ATTYS- 2,879,521 Patented Mar. 31, 1959 United States Patent Ofiice ATTACHIVIENT F OR FLUSH TANKS James H. Brasher, Philadelphia, Pa. Application December 23, 1957, Serial No. 704,446

6 Claims. (11. 456) l is operated by a flush lever slidably engaged with a valve stern projecting upwardly from the float valve element to a guide secured to the overflow pipe of the tank. The operating lever, when displaced, raises the valve element from its seat, and the air'trapped in the valve element causes the valve element to float at the level of the water in the tank. When the water level in the tank drops to the level of the valve 'seat, the float valve follows the water level and, by reason of its guide, engages the valve seat. -This interrupts discharge'ofwater from the tank and a ball float operates theinletvalve to refill the tank,

the .pressure of the water in the tank maintaining the float valve element engaged on itsseat. Thus, each opera.- tion of the float valve completelyempties the tank, so astocausethe water level to drop to the level of the valve seat of the float valve.

. In most cases, it is desirable to eifect complete discharge of water from the tank in order to insure complete flushr ing of the toilet. However, in many instances, it is not necessary to completely discharge the waterfront the tankin order to obtaiuadequate flushing or dilution of the material in the toilet. In houseshaving limitedwater supply, the amount of water flushed down the toilet constitutes a high percentageof the water used in the house and frequent flushing of the toilet causes a substantial drain on the Water supply. n 1 With the foregoing in mind, a primary object of the present invention is .to provide an attachment:for the standard flush tank which enables the operator toqlimit the amount of water flushed in accordance with theindividual requirements. g ,More particularly, the present invention contemplates a float valve which is resiliently urged towards its seat and is held against immediate reseating by a dashpot arrangement.

The invention contemplates a bellows attachment for t 3 the float valvewhich serves as a resilient bias urging the valve towards its seat and also serves asa dashpot delay? ing return movement of the valve toward its seat. V The invention provides an attachmentwhich is readily assembled to the conventional flush tank mechanism, is

' relatively inexpensive, and is fully eflective in operation and use. i All of the objects of the present invention and the variousfeatures and details of the construction and operation thereof are more fully set forth hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation at reduced scale with portions broken away of a flush tank embodying an attachment made in accordance with the present invention} 'Fig; 2 is a vertical'transvers'e section through the float valve mechanism showing the constructiton and operation of the novel attachment therefor;

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken on the lines 3--3' and 44 respectively of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5; and 1 Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of certain elements of the attachment shown in Fig. 5 and showing its mode of assembly. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly lto Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the embodiment of the invention illustrated therein is mounted in a conventional flush tank Ill-having a fresh water inlet 11, a discharge outlet 12 which terminates interiorly of the tank in a float valve seat 13. An overflow pipe 14 is connected to the discharge outlet 12 in a conventional manner through a conduit 15. A float valve 16 cooperates with the seat 13 and is guided for movement by a stem 17 threadably engaged with the float valve as indicated at 18 and slidable in a bracket 19 secured to the overflow 14 in conventional manner. The valve is operated by an operating lever assembly 20 which slidably engages the stem 17 below the enlarged head 21 thereof. Upward displacement of the member 20. engagesthe same against the underside of thehead 21 and displaces the stem 17 upwardly to disengage the float valve 16 from its seat 13. Y In accordance with the invention, resilient bellows are compressed between the guide bracket 19 and the float valve element 16 to resiliently bias the latter toward its seat, the bellows being normally filled with-water which is freely discharged therefrom as the valve element is displaced upwardly fromits seat. Means is provided to retard or delay the turn action of the bellows by restricting the flow of water into the interior of the bellows as the latter expands and forces the float valve element 16 back to its seat. In the embodiment of Figs. 14, the attachment comprises a single bellows 31 having accordion-like convolutions longitudinally thereof to afford longitudinal extension and contraction of the bellows. The bellows 31 is formed of rubber, neoprene, or similar resilient plastic material and is normally expanded, so that when collapsed, a longitudinal bias is provided, tending to expand thebellows back to the position shown in Fig. 2.

. plate or a disk 34 which, as shown in Fig. 2, is nested within an upper convolution 35 of the bellows 31. The nesting of the disk 34 in the convolution 35 precludes escape of fluid between the disk and the bellows. The disk 34 is provided with a central aperture 36 which slidably receives the valve stem 17 for sliding movement of the latter therein. As shown, limited clearance is proyided between the walls of the aperture 36 and the valve stem 17 and the clearance space defines a.restricted bleeder orifice 37 for the admission of liquid into the bellows upon extension thereof, as more fully set forth hereinafter.

At its lower end, the bellows 31 is mounted on the valve element 16. To this end, a bottom member or bottom disk 41 is nested in a lower convolution 42 of the bellows. The fit between the outer periphery of the disk 41 and the convolution 42 is such -as to, preclude leakage of water therebetween. The disk 41 is provided with a central threaded aperture 43 which is threadably engaged on the threaded portion of the valve stem 17 to secure the disk 41 to the valve element 16. Thebottom disk 41 is formed with a plurality of discharge openings 44, and these openings are normally closed by a flap valve 45 of resilient flexible material mounted intermediate the valve element 16 and the disk 41. Thus, the bellows 31 is norma ns d aga nst ad iss o n d h ge of li u d except throughthe bleeder orifice 37, However, upon collapse of the bellows longitudinally, the pressure of the liquid in the bellows displaces the fiap valve .45 downwardly away from the openings 44 to permit free escape of liquid from the interior of the bellows. Upon extension of the bellows,'on the other hand, the resiliency of the flap valve 45 engages it against the openings 44 to lo e th a Thus, in the operation of the flush tank, the bellows 31 serves as a dashpot structure, retarding extension of the bellowsafter its collapse. When the'flush tank is operated in a conventional manner by raising the actuating mechanism 20 to elevate the float valve element 16, the water contained in the interior of the bellows 31 is free to discharge through the discharge openings 44. When the actuating mechanism 20 is released, the resilient bias afforded by the bellows 31 tends to return the valve element 16 to its seat. The bias of the bellows is opposed by the dashpot structure afforded by the flap valve 45 and the restricted orifice 37. As stated, the valve 45 closes, and the liquid entering the bellows 31 must flow through the restricted bleeder orifice 37, thereby delaying return of the valve element 16 to its seat. Thus, the return of the valve element 16 to its seat is not dependent upon the liquid level in the tank, but is dependent solely upon the extent to which the bellows 31 is collapsed and the delay afforded by the restricted orifice 37. To insure proper operation, the bellows 31 is extended at its upper end as indicated at 48 to form a cup or reservoir 49 which traps water therein. Thus, when the water level in the tank falls below the level of the upper edge of the reservoir 49, sufficient water is retained in the reservoir to insure proper operation of the dashpot structure.

The present invention provides means for limiting the amount of water discharged from the flush tank. If the actuating mechanism is operated to its greatest extent, thereby raising the float valve element 16 so as to completely collapse the bellows, the restricted orifice 37 delays the return of the valve element to its seat a sufiicient period to insure a normal complete flush of the tank. When it is desired to have a smaller flush, the actuating mechanism 20 is only partially raised to only partially collapse the bellows 31. The bias of the bellows returns the valve element 16 to its seat after the delay afforded by the restricted orifice 37 so as to afford only a partial flush. Thus, the amount of flush is determined by the extent to which the actuating mechanism 20 is operated.

In addition to providing a control for the amount of flush, the present invention insures proper reseating of the valve element 16 since it is positively urged toward its seat by the bias of the bellows. This positive action rcseating the valve element insures against leaky flush tanks and obviates the necessity for jiggling the handle of the tank to insure proper reseating of the float valve 16.

Figs. to 7 illustrate another embodiment of attach.- ment for the conventional flush tank. The elements of the conventional fiush tank are designated by the same reference numerals applied to Figs. 1-4, In this ernbodi; ment of the invention, two bellows 51, 51 are provided.

The bellows 51, 51 are formed of rubber, neoprene, or similar resilient plastic material and comprise a plurality of staeked accordion-like convolutions open only at the bottom as indicated at 52. The bellows are closed at their top and are formed with an upstanding nipple 53. The upper ends of the bellows 51, 51 are mounted on the guide bracket 19 by means of a yoke 54 which straddles the bracket 19 and is held in place thereon by passage of the valve sten117 therethrough. The yoke is formed with wardl -extending r; ate iqns. 5 55 hi h have apertures therein as indicated at 56 for receiving the nipples 53 of the bellows.

The bellows 51 are mounted at their lower end on the valve element 16. To this end, a bottom plate 61 having a central threaded aperture 63 is threadably engaged on the threaded portion of the valve stem 17 adjacent the float valve element 16. Bellows-engaging elements 64 are mounted on the plate 61 through apertures 65 and each element is nested in a lower convolution 62 of one of the bellows 51. A flap valve 67 having a central aperture 68 is mounted on the element 64 intermediate the bellows 51 and the bottom plate 61. The flap valve 67 is similar to the flap valve 45 so as to normally engage against the opening 52 at the lower end of the bellows and close it against entry of liquid therein. The clearance between the opening 68 in the valve and the depending leg of the member 64 provides a bleeder orifice 69 which operates similarly to the bleeder orifice 37 of the previously described embodiment.

The flap valve 67 operates similarly to the flap valve 45 of the previously described embodiment being held against the opening 52 by its normal resilience. To afford displacement of the flap valve from the opening 5? upon collapse of the bellows 51, the bottom plate 61 is offset as indicated at 71. Thus, as the bellows 51 are collapsed by upper displacement of the actuating member 20, the flap valve 67 is displaced into the offset portions 71 of the bottom plate 61 affording free discharge of the liquid in the bellows. Upon return of the bellows toward their extended position, the flap valve 67 closes the open? ing 52 except for the bleeder orifice 69 provided intermediate the aperture 68 and they depending leg of the ole..- ment 64.

As in the previously described embodiment, the amount of flush can be controlled readily by controlling the de.- gree of displacement of the actuating member 20 and the bellows 51, 51 also provide a bias for seating the valve element 16 firmly against the seat 13.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been herein illustrated and described, it is not mtended to limit the invention to such disclosure, but changes and modifications may be made therein and thereto within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a flush tank having a discharge outlet with a valve seat, a float valve element cooperable with said valve seat and including an upstanding valve stem, a guide bracket overlying said valve seat and embracing said stem to guide the valve element into and out of engagement with said valve seat and an operator engaging said valve stem to actuate said fioat valve; an attachment mounted in said flush tank for controlling the operation of said float valve comprising a normally-extended resilient longitudinally-collapsible bellows, a first mounting means mounting one end of said bellows on said guide bracket, a second mounting means mounting the other end ofsaid bellows on said valve element whereby said valve element is biased toward its seat, valve means in said bellows affording unlimited flow of water out of the interior of said bellows, upon collapse thereof and only limited flow of water into the interior of said bellows upon extension thereof whereby upon upward displacement of said valve element by said operator against the bias of the bellows, said bellows is collapsed freely to discharge the water contained therein, and upon return of the valve, element toward its seat under the bias of the bellows, said hellowsis extended slowly in accordance with the limited rate of flow of water into the interior thereof.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said bellows has means defining an opening at one end, and said valve means comprises a resilient flap valve normally closing said opening and displaced therefrom to afford flow of water therethrough upon collapse of said bellows, and mean t one at th appo i e end o sai e o fin n a restricted bleeder orifice to afford limited flow of water therethrough upon extension of said bellows.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said bellows surrounds said valve stem and is of the accordion type closed at its upper end by a top disk nested in an upper convolution of said bellows and mounted on said guide bracket by said first mounting means, said disk having a central aperture slidable on said valve stem, said central aperture when engaged on said valve stem constituting said restricted bleeder orifice.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said bellows extends above said disk and defines a reservoir for Water when the water level in the tank falls below the upper limit of said bellows.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein said second mounting means comprises a bottom disk nested in a lower convolution of said bellows and having a central aperture threadably engaged on said valve stem adjacent said valve element, said bottom disk having said bellows opening therein, said resilient flap valve being mounted fiush against said bottom disk intermediate said bottom disk and said valve element.

6. A device according to claim 2 including a second normally-extended resilient longitudinally-collapsible bellows, said bellows being of the accordion type and disposed in parallel relation at opposite sides of said valve stem, and terminating at their upper ends in nipples and open at their lower ends, said first mounting means comprising a yoke slidably engaging said valve stem and embracing said guide bracket and having outwardly-extend ing arms mounting said nipples, said second mounting means comprising a bottom plate threadably engaged on said stem adjacent said valve element, means on said plate nested in a lower convolution of said bellows to mount the open lower end thereof on said bottom plate, said resilient flap valve being mounted intermediate said open lower end and said bottom plate to normally close said open end, and means on said plate affording displace ment of said flap valve upon collapse of said bellows, said flap valve having said restricted bleeder orifice therein.

References ited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 286,648 McHugh July 3, 1883 477,715 Turner June 28, 1892 1,007,386 Polk Oct. 31, 1911 FOREIGN PATENTS 298,253 Germany June 12, 1917 

